Corruption threats observed in tech-inspection of cars in Georgia

President of Georgian Vehicle Inspection Bodies Association (GVIBA) David Meskhihsvili says that corruption threats and other problems have been observed in the vehicle inspection process which became mandatory in the country starting from January 2018.

Meskhishvili says that there are cases when one inspection centre bans driving a car until detected problems are addressed, while another centre, on the same day, allows the movement of the vehicle.

He says that this and other problems have already been raised with responsible state agencies. “However, no measures have been taken so far.”

“The reform of the vehicle technical inspection is being carried out with flaws, and the problems must be settled. Otherwise, the reform will be placed under the threat which will affect the citizens of the country,” Meskhishvili said.

He stated that shortcomings regarding the electronic data have not been solved and the problems in the electronic base of the vehicle technical inspection prevent planning the future steps of the reform.

Meskhishvili said that GVIBA has become a member of the influential international organization for vehicle inspection CITA.

“We have plans to elaborate recommendations with CITA and send them to Georgian state structures. We hope that the recommendations will be considered,” Meskhishvili said.

Georgian law enforcers have already detained more than 12 for bribery during the inspection.

Mandatory vehicle inspection started in Georgia from January 1, 2018, and powerful engine vehicles (+ 3.5 tonnes) and passenger vehicles (+8 seats) were inspected at the first stage.

The next round of inspection started on July 1, 2018, for the vehicles belonging to state agencies and legal entities.

Vehicle testing will be launched step-by-step, and the inspection of all vehicles will take about two years.

Mandatory vehicle inspections cost about 100 GEL for powerful engine vehicles and 60 GEL for cars.

Mandatory vehicle inspection was banned under the United National Movement government. The reason was the corruption in the filed under the Eduard Shevardnadze authorities.

Safety of people and combating air pollution were named as key reasons for the restoration of the mandatory check by the current Georgian Dream leadership.

Georgian Vehicle Inspection Bodies Association unifies organizations which perform a periodic technical inspection of vehicles.